kpgclark

Aloha! We are on the same cruise. See you soon. I really hope Viking offers routine shuttles into Budapest and not just for scheduled tours. We were, of course, expecting to dock in town and enjoy the city on our own at our own pace. As that is now impossible Viking should really offer shuttles at defined times to allow passengers to explore Budapest.

Thanks Milling73. We are scheduled for that cruise on Sept. 10th. However our hotel in Paris is The Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile. Did your original paperwork mention that hotel? Just wondering if they changed the Paris hotel. Can you tell me more about the ship swap and if you missed any excursions? Did you do any of the paid excursions in Paris? If so how did you like them?

This is interesting. I spoke to a Viking rep about two days ago and she said the Paris to Swiss Alps cruise has not been impacted whatsoever by low water levels. Please keep everyone posted. We leave for Zurich on September 10th and I'd like to know what to expect. Thanks so much!

Please keep everyone posted. We are scheduled for September for Swiss Alps to Paris and I'd like to know how they are handling things.

As you all know Viking is continuing to test all passengers (who are required to be vaccinated) daily for Covid and, regardless of symptoms, and summarily booting those who are positive off ships along with their cruising companion(s) and/or close contacts who are negative. I know the vast vast majority of customers are against the daily testing based on what I see on social media as well as what friends and family that are scheduled to sail say to me. MANY people are cancelling much anticipated cruises due to the daily stress of taking the test. As far as I know no other companies require daily spit tests. In addition no other place that I know of requires daily testing including anyone working at or visiting hospitals. You don't get tested before going to a restaurant, movie theatre, concerts etc. Minimally Viking needs to change the policy to 'optional daily testing.' I just got a phone call from Viking after sending an email to them last week about this ridiculous daily testing. She was nice to let me vent, but the representative is not a decision maker and doesn't know what the upper management folks are considering at this point. She is very aware that many, many customers are canceling due to the daily testing and that people have been complaining on social media. She understands why people don't like it and she doesn't know why Viking is performing daily testing as they haven't communicated the reasoning down the totem pole. She knows it is anxiety provoking to wait to see every day if you will get booted. I told her perhaps a compromise would be to make testing optional. Anyhow, she said she forwards the email up the chain but has no idea what their current mindset is. So if you are against daily testing (they don't test anyone visiting or working in hospitals folks!) send an email to them.